Alexandra477

Good Design in Hard Times.

Before last night, I thought murals were just really cool works of public art. I didn’t perceive them as portals through which communities could stage improvement revolutions. But during the opening reception of Good Design in Hard Times at Whetsone Public Library, I learned a few things.

“A mural can be a transitional way to project the future,” said Eliza Ho, co-founder of the nonprofit group ALTernative. She and her husband Tim Lai presented about four Columbus projects they helped manage that are small in scale, but soaring in community impact. They founded ALTernative last year to benefit neighborhoods through art and design and to offer a platform where people can share ideas.

SoHud Murals
A graffiti-ridden wall at the southwest corner of Hudson and Summit Streets is now a panorama of bright painted trees, thanks to Wild Goose Creative and a slew of local supporters. The first piece of the SoHud Community Mural Project, it was unfurled last September by artists Jon Stommel and Travis Czekalski. ALTernative has proposed a second mural at the former Hudson Theater, which is covered in graffiti and has been abandoned for decades. Its “secret garden” design and surrealist pink stairways spark hope for a renaissance of the building.

Ohio Bird Mural
Inspired by the passion of the Lower Olentangy Urban Arboretum and Friends of the Lower Olentangy Watershed, this Glen Echo Ravine installation transforms a vandalized bridge underpass into an educational bird sanctuary. It will spotlight 20 Ohio bird species and feature 15 custom bird “abodes.” The project is set to be unveiled on July 14 to commemorate the 100^th anniversary of Glen Echo Park.

Dinin’ Hall
With more than 100 food trucks and carts roaming our streets, Columbus has become a mobile food mecca. Dinin’ Hall is a groundbreaking street food hub concept that will bump the phenomenon to a sleeker level. Offering a communal space where people can enjoy food truck delicacies, it simplifies ordering and minimizes lines. The 1,300-square-foot space at the loading dock of 400 West Rich in Franklinton is scheduled to open in late April.

“This is all about using design as a solution,” Tim said. Good Design in Hard Times will be on display at Whetstone Library through the end of April.

         

“Stigmatized: The African-American Male and Schizophrenia” at Fresh A.I.R. Gallery.

Schizophrenia is a heavy word. Sometimes we use it in jest, but the condition after which it’s named is dire. It casts a sense of shame that is so strong and dark, its sufferers have trouble coping. This is why Cincinnati artist and care provider Michael Coppage took action. For two years, he captured the “apathy, anger, and fear” he felt while counseling patients, and interpreted his experiences in a series of sculptural pastel portraits. The result is Stigmatized: The African-American Male and Schizophrenia, which opened on Wednesday night at Fresh A.I.R. Gallery in Columbus.

“I view Schizophrenia as a terminal illness with symptoms that carriers struggle to control their entire lives,” said Coppage. “The need to fit in and ‘be normal’ is often the biggest barrier to medication adherence and routine mental health treatment for the young African-American male population diagnosed with a mental illness.”

With this beautifully brave exhibit, Coppage aims to conjure something vital: Empathy. “We need all of the help and support we can get,” he said.

Fresh A.I.R. Gallery (A.I.R. stands for Artists in Recovery) highlights art created by individuals who are affected by mental illness and substance abuse. It educates community members and dispels stigmas by focusing on journeys of recovery and artistic spirit.

Stigmatized will be on display through March 30. An artist’s talk with Coppage will take place at the gallery on March 30 at 4:00 p.m. Click here for more photos.

  

My Secret Columbus Bicentennial Celebration.

Columbus turns 200 today¹. There have been several public festivities to honor this occasion, and yet I also wanted to acknowledge it privately. This has, after all, been my home for 22 years and I was born in the year of our country’s Bicentennial. So I trekked through the snow to a tree in the middle of Goodale Park, lit a Candle Lab candle, and sang Happy Birthday. I gave thanks. And I left a frosted vanilla cupcake from the North Market. Yes, I looked around to make sure no one was watching the kook with her makeshift solo Bicentennial party. But to do such a thing in the city that taught me about the power of accessibility and value of creative expression somehow felt appropriate.

1 It’s also Valentine’s Day. I’m wishing everyone a Happy Valentennial.

"100 Years of Art" at Riffe Gallery.

Some of us are visual people. We must see things in order to comprehend them. When beholding 100 Years of Art: Celebrating Columbus’ Legacy at the Riffe Gallery, one thing is quite clear: Our city is an evolving creative force. This free exhibit is presented by the Ohio Arts Council in honor of the Columbus Bicentennial and celebrates art that shaped our heritage. It features more than 60 pieces by artists including George Bellows, Emerson Burkhart, Roy Lichtenstein, Elijah Pierce, and James Thurber. Melissa Wolfe from the Columbus Museum of Art, who curated this diverse tribute, credits our unique artistic personality to the “remarkably easy and dynamic exchange” among our communities. We indeed offer a rare blend of global context, Midwestern accessibility, and local fervor — and it couldn’t be more visually stunning. 100 Years of Art is on display through April 15. Free group tours are available by making a reservation. Click here for more photos.

               

"RACE" Exhibit at COSI.

“Race is a recent human invention,” is the first thing you read when entering the new RACE: Are We So Different? exhibit at COSI. Developed by the American Anthropological Association, this fearlessly insightful project is the first national exhibition to present issues of race from cultural, historical, and scientific perspectives.

The concept of race is only a few hundred years old. It has been used to separate us, establish ideas of superiority and inferiority, and justify mistreatment. But all of us share common ancestry. “All skin colors, whether light or dark, are due not to race but to adaptation for life under the sun,” said biological anthropologist Alan Goodman. According to information presented at RACE, the separate physical traits used to differentiate one race from another aren’t linked to each other or to any other aspect of human variation.

RACE explores discrimination and uncovers harrowing statistics related to healthcare, higher education, financial security, and mortgage lending. In one interactive display about ethnic dialects, guests listen to recorded voices and try to match them with corresponding photos. I got them all wrong. Visitors are also invited to share stories about an experience they’ve had with race. Here’s what a few children contributed:

“I am not perfect, I am not whole…I am made of different parts, just like you.”

“I am Ecuadorian-American. I’m awesome!”

“I am a good friend to people! And I am funny.” 

“People always think I’m Asian due to my eyes. I am really Scottish and German. I do not like labeling, no one should.”

“I am me.”

“Some people in my class are racist because that’s what they learn at home. It seems wrong and makes me feel uncomfortable.”

“I want to be exposed to more races, but it feels like I’m not allowed.”

And here’s what a couple of adults wrote:

“My daughter is bi-racial. I am asked all the time (especially at her doctor’s office) whether I am her mother. They don’t ask all parents this question. Her friends at school ask if I am really her mother. Even though we don’t look alike, she is my perfect mini-me! And I know that she’s mine.”

“I am a straight white woman, and I try to use the privileges I have to work to end racism, classism, sexism, heterosexism, and homophobia. As a teacher and mother, I work to make our world as just as our ideals.”

RACE combines interactive components, historical artifacts, iconic objects, photographs, multimedia presentations, and graphic displays, but my favorite element is the interpersonal one. COSI employees are stationed throughout the room to form discussion groups and answer questions. We are all invited as community members to talk about what is often a difficult topic. This is an open, compassionate forum whose goal is to spark conversation and improve relations among all of us. The exhibit will be on display through May 6.

   

"ImageOHIO12" at Shot Tower Gallery.

ImageOHIO12 opened at the Shot Tower Gallery last night. Presented by ROY G BIV Gallery, it unfurls a strong, evocative cosmos of photography and video. Selected artists of this 12th annual show include Brandon Antczak, W.E. Arnold, Brittney Denham, Nick Fancher, Jenny Fine, Leah Fisher, Mark Fohl, Rachel Girard-Reisert, Arden Grace, Rebecca Holbrook, John Hooks, Brittany Kunkel, Amy Leibrand, Jacqueline McGilvray, Ardine Nelson, Allison Pierce, Jana Pryor, Lizz Stringfield, Chanika Svetvilas, Laurel Talabere, Crystal Tursich, Heidi Weller, and Charlotte Woolf. The exhibit is juried by Chris Stults, who noted that several pieces “stood out for the ways that they tried to convey something that was absent.” It will be on display through February 24. Click here for more photos.       

Letter to My 8-Year-Old Self.

I wrote this after hearing about the book Dear Me: A Letter to My Sixteen-Year-Old Self.

Dear 8-Year-Old Me,

The Star Wars people are going to make more movies, but they’ll be called “prequels.” Just go with it. You’re going to have braces. Twice. Throw a mild tantrum at your orthodontist’s office to get them removed early. You’re never, ever going to like brownies with nuts in them.

Some girl in elementary school is going to pick on you. Your mom will convince you to thwart her evilness with a Whatchamacallit and a smile. This will be a valuable lesson about the Power of Candy. People will make fun of your hair so much it will make you cry. Later in life, you’ll discover a straightening brush and anti-frizz balm, and you’ll have the last laugh. Also, you’ll find out about this stuff called Sun-In. It will tempt you. Don’t use it.

You’re going to have an amazing education. You will study hard and it’ll be a lot of work, but you’ll graduate from college and create a career that gives you more purpose than you ever thought possible. And you’ll have a pink office. With shelves for your My Little Ponies. I know.

The world will soon be overrun with technology. These things called “computers” and “cell phones” will take over. Play outside now as much as you can. Exercise your imagination. Smash lots of rocks with your hammer, carry them around in your tacklebox, and always wear your safety goggles. Heck, just keep those orange puppies around your neck in case you need to start pounding at a moment’s notice. One day, you’ll meet a guy who’ll give you Smurf tumblers, just like the ones you drink from now. You will marry him. When you’re older, your dad will call to say he dreamt that you were a kid again. He’ll remind you that to him, a part of you will always be a spunk-filled sprite. Try to hold onto some of that youthful zing. Find new ways to have wonder. And keep bribing people with chocolate.

Pecha Kucha Columbus Celebrates 5 Years.

Pecha Kucha Columbus will celebrate its 5^th anniversary on Thursday, February 16 at the Columbus Museum of Art. Festivities kick off at 6:00 p.m. with musician Enrique Infante and presentations begin at 6:30. Hosted by CMA’s Center For Creativity, PK will take place in Derby Court and the Cardinal Health Auditorium*. Each speaker will follow the international format of showing 20 images and speaking about each image for 20 seconds. Presenters include Oron Benary with SOLE, architectural photographer Brad Feinknopf, OSU medical student Danny Ash, Dwight Heckelman of Groove U, Jess Mathews from Consider Biking, Steve Shapiro with The Educational Council, Mark Farmer from Team 614, and Scott Vayo of BPM Productions. Presenters are subject to change.

Guests will have access to CMA’s galleries throughout the evening. Musical act Coal Fired Bicycle will perform during intermission. Local food trucks and indoor food vendors will sell refreshments, as organized by The Food Fort at ECDI. A cash bar will be available and Genre Creative will provide a free photo booth. The suggested donation is $2 per person. Free parking is available in the CMA parking lot and the State Auto lot just east of the museum. Since it began in Tokyo in 2003, Pecha Kucha has become a global force with events in more than 460 cities around the world. Pecha Kucha Columbus was founded in February of 2007 and this will be our 20^th event.

* There will be a raised 7-foot screen in Derby Court and a 12-foot screen in the auditorium.

         

"Cityscapes Yesteryear" at King Arts Complex.

Every so often, a collection of art sparks the spirit of the past while evoking promise for the future. Cityscapes Yesteryear: Past and Present at the King Arts Complex is one of those exhibits. The 59-piece show opened on Thursday in commemoration of the Columbus Bicentennial. It celebrates our urban history through the works of Harvey Gilliam, Roman Johnson, Kojo Kamau, and Leon Page.

Gilliam is a 90-year-old Near East Side native known for his watercolor explorations of historic neighborhoods and city landscapes. He studied at the Columbus College of Art & Design and drew deep inspiration from renowned Ohio painter Emerson Burkhart. He always felt that art was his chosen profession and remembers the site, season, and year of all his paintings. Johnson (1917-2005) was also from the Near East Side. Widely respected amongst his peers, he befriended and painted alongside Burkhart for years. He studied in New York and Paris and had work displayed at the Whitney Museum of American Art. Page (1925-2003) studied at CCAD and considered himself a contemporary impressionist. He used his paintings and watercolors to document his personal views of the African American life experience. He actively participated in the Ohio Watercolor Society and crafted murals in prominent community spaces throughout Ohio, Michigan, and Canada. Kamau is an award-winning photographer and co-founder of Art for Community Expression (ACE). A Near East Side native who is now in his early 70’s, he worked as a photojournalist for the United States Air Force and as a medical photographer for The Ohio State University. He has won numerous awards for both his photography and cultural activism. His leadership has been an instrumental force in launching programs and galleries to propel African American artists.

Cityscapes Yesteryear is curated by Bettye Stull and will be on display through March 10. Admission is $3. Click here for more photos.

              

Jeni’s Influenza Sorbet.

How can you not try something called Influenza Sorbet? One of the new seasonal items from the flavor gurus at Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams, this flu-thwarting concoction draws inspiration from vintage home remedies. Its zippy blend of orange and lemon juices, honey, cayenne pepper, ground ginger, and whiskey will clear your sinuses quicker than a bowl of wasabi. I tasted the sorbet without being under the weather, but it reminded me that the Short North is the place to be if your immune system is compromised. For years, my go-to congestion redemption has been the spicy lemongrass broth from Lemongrass. Packed with chili paste, it swiftly roundhouses even the most stubborn of colds. Being sick sucks, but these homegrown antidotes make coping a little more fun.

Short North Civic Association Winter Party at Short North Stage.

The Short North Civic Association will host its annual Winter Party on Thursday, January 19 at Short North Stage from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. If you live in the area, this is a great way to mingle with your neighbors and learn about what’s happening in the Short North. Admission is free and refreshments will be provided. Live performances of songs from upcoming Short North Stage shows will take place in the Green Room and tours of the newly reopened Garden Theatre will be offered. Guests can elect 2012 SNCA officers and provide suggestions for future SNCA events. The SNCA welcomes all area homeowners, renters, business owners, and employees to become members. Annual memberships cost $25 for individuals, $50 per household, and $75 for businesses.

I’ve served on the board of the SNCA for the past few years. Formerly known as the Victorian Village Society, it’s a nonprofit organization focused on building a strong community through representation, education, advocacy, and events. Our major projects include the Short North Tour of Homes & Gardens, Screen on the Green movie series, Goodale Park Music Series, Short North Yard Sale, Short North Block Watch, The Vibe monthly eNewsletter, Short North neighborhood sign program, and area traffic management studies.

7 Great Things About 2011.

2011 was an eventful year. Egypt revolted and Libya rejoiced. Berlusconi stepped down and SEAL Team Six stepped up. We learned that philandering pizza executives, bloated moguls, and cerebrally challenged gun-toters don’t make solid presidential candidates. Tweet became an official word and Taylor Swift looked surprised a lot. In between The Royal Wedding and The Fake Wedding, I had my own wedding. With five remaining hours of 2011, I compiled a short list of favorites.

Best Song: Stone Rollin’ by Raphael Saadiq for its molten instrumentation and ability to both honor and transcend Motown.

Best Album: Culture of Fear by Thievery Corporation for molding to every imaginable mood.

Best Film: I’m going to cheat and say Year of the Fish. It was released in 2008, but I watched it in 2011 and it has burned in my psyche like a 900-hour candle.

Best Book (three-way tie): Bossypants by Tina Fey, Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And Other Concerns) by Mindy Kaling, and The Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbaugh. The first two for busting bladders and the latter for reminding me that unpaved literary paths still exist.

Best Comic Strip: The Oatmeal. You are welcome.

Most Notable Vegetable Reconciliation: Avocadoes. It was just a matter of time before I learned to adore those chartreuse squishmongers. I also made peace with beets.

Favorite Contraption that I Never Knew Existed and Now Can’t Possibly Live Without: Mini cupcake maker from my beautiful younger sister. I will have made 94 of them in the time it took you to read this sentence.

Let’s delve into 2012. See you on the other side.

Festivus at 400 West Rich & Cow Town Low Brow at Hot Head Salon.

Oh, Holiday Season. You’re so festive and I love you, but things can get out of hand when you’re around. Shopping malls become High Spazz Zones where every driver is angry and McWidgets sell by the gross. Thankfully, there are less traditional (and more rewarding) ways of reaping your splendor. The Festivus holiday open house and art show at 400 West Rich took place on Saturday. More than 30 local artists have rented studios in this Franklinton warehouse, including Andew Lundberg, Columbus Artmobile, David Denniston, Etsy Team Columbus, Joss Parker, Jurate Phillips, Lisa McLymont, Michael Halliday, Sara Adrian, and Shawn Walburn. The space is basically like a sweet urban hotel where you visit everyone’s rooms and get blitzed¹ by awesome feats of expression. Also on Saturday, the cool kids from Cow Town Low Brow opened their latest art show Salon De’ Salon at Hot Head Salon in Clintonville. With 50 bold new works by Ashley Voss, Carolyn Slebodnik, Corey Aumiller Cyrus Fire, Dan Gerdeman, Joey Monsoon, Stephanie Rond, Marina Goldshteyn, and Sharon Dorsey, the hair-themed exhibit donated a portion of proceeds to The Hair Theater Fund.

See? Holiday shopping doesn’t have to be a mass-produced frenzy fraught with swear words and fistfuls of Advil. It can involve real people with real souls, and keep dollars in your local economy. Click here for more photos of Festivus and here for more photos of Salon De’ Salon.

1 The regular season of college football is over. This is me using pigskin terminology to keep the fire burning. Maybe it’s encroachment, but this is my blog. And you can like both art and football.

                        

The Heaviest Christmas Present.

Many years ago, I got an extra special Christmas gift from my father. He was so excited about it that he began calling me in early November to gloat. The man has an enviable knack for superlatives.

“I really did it this year,” he told me. “I got you what might be the greatest present of all time. I just don’t know how I’m gonna top this one.”

It continued like this for days, and then weeks. “I mean, Al, I’ve outdone myself. I almost don’t want to give it to you, because that’ll be it. It’ll be the year I gave you this, and nothing else will measure up.”

He also said that shipping said wünderprez would be a major undertaking, the likes of which I’d never seen. What can it be? I wondered. Can you actually FedEx a horse? And then a large brown box, the heaviest one I’ve ever encountered, arrived on my doorstep. I thought maybe it was a compact barbell system for the basement, or a Thomas-Jefferson-era fruitcake. Or maybe a compact horse.

Finally, Christmas rolled around and I opened it. And he was right. It was the most marvelous gift a person like me could ever hope to receive.

Let me explain. Growing up, I was obsessed with The Far Side. “Obsessed” isn’t a strong enough word to describe my commitment to the brand. Let’s just say I wrote a college entrance essay about it in 1993. One of the topics was “If you could meet anyone, living or deceased, who would it be?” Abraham Lincoln? Bo-ring. Mother Theresa? Yawn¹. I wanted to meet Gary Larson for breakfast, and I feverishly scribbled to my first-choice school about it². You see, every Christmas throughout my childhood, my dad gave me a flip-a-day Far Side calendar. This way, I could greet each dawn with a snort and a chortle. Unbeknownst to me, The Complete Far Side was created in 2003. It’s a double-volume, 1,272-page compendium of every Far Side cartoon from 1980 to 1994. It weighs 18 pounds.

These annals of dark humor live in my kitchen, lest I need a zap of hilarity at a moment’s notice. Thanks, Dad. And Mr. Larson: that waffle invitation was an open one.

1 No offense, MT. We good?
2 They let me in. High five to my fellow sordid homey in the Admissions office.

Antigua.

I’m lucky to have family members who work in the travel industry. Because of them, I tag along on exciting trips to places I’d otherwise never visit. We just spent Thanksgiving at Jumby Bay in Antigua. If you’re not familiar with Antigua, here are some things I think you should know.

Antiguans smile constantly. They’re surrounded by sun, sand, and rum. If you had access to these three things at all times, you’d be smiling, too.

Jumby Bay doesn’t have cars, so everyone rides bikes and golf carts. Also, no one locks their doors and there aren’t any room keys. The island is tamer than Target during a Buckeye football game.

Mirrors are scarce, which saves loads of time on hygienic chores like brushing, shaving, and plucking. Your eye makeup might resemble a caffeinated raccoon, but who cares? You’re in the Caribbean.

It’s fun to play a game I invented called Daughter or Girlfriend? Try to guess if older male tourists are either the best dads ever, or delusional creepsters who honestly believe those minxes would spend time with them even if they were poor.

Mosquitoes have no remorse and will eat you alive. This is because Antigua is drastically nicer than where the rest of us live, and God felt it was necessary to give it one flaw.

The breezy phrase “No worries” used to seem so insincere to me. I get it now.

           

Wildlights at The Columbus Zoo.

I keep hearing people say they can’t get into the holiday spirit. The 24^th annual Wildlights display at The Columbus Zoo opened on Friday night and is a pretty fantastic way to kick-start those fuzzy season feelings. With millions of energy-saving LED lights and a new Global Celebrations animated light show, Wildlights reminds us that smidges of childlike glee are buried in all of us. It’s impossible to stroll amongst the glistening pathways and animatronic arbors and not feel your heart grow three times its size. Wildlights runs through January 1. Click here for more photos.

      

Ohio Statehouse 150th Birthday.

Today marks the sesquicentennial of the Ohio Statehouse. The celebration included appearances by Speaker Bill Batchelder of the Ohio House of Representatives, Tom Niehaus from the Ohio Senate, Ohio Supreme Court Chief Justice Maureen O’Connor, the Licking County Jazz Band, and Mrs. Cotter’s fourth grade students from St. Mary’s School, as well as Civil War re-enactors, an artist’s fair, and cake-cutting ceremony. Outside of the 19^th-century Greek Revival landmark, protesters from Occupy Columbus and Pro-Choice Ohio conveyed some passions of their own. A more interesting dichotomy of sentiments would have been hard to find. Regardless of politics and protests, I’m proud to be an Ohioan and thankful to live in a place where we have freedom to speak our minds and rejoice in what we choose. Click here for more photos.

           

Columbus Foundation: The Big Give.

Something very cool and powerful is about to happen in Columbus. Tomorrow morning at 11:00, The Columbus Foundation will launch The Big Give, a 24-hour online giving event benefiting 600 local nonprofit organizations. It’s the first initiative of its kind. More than 1,800 individuals, families, and businesses have funds with the Foundation. Those existing donors have provided a $1 million match for The Big Give, so donations that are received between tomorrow and Friday will be given a pro-rated match. Anyone can give with a minimum credit card gift of $20.

Columbus Foundation associates have spent almost a year preparing for The Big Give. “The launch of this new system comes at a time when nonprofits need an economic boost,” said Lisa Schweitzer Courtice, Ph.D., the Foundation’s Executive Vice President of Community Research and Grants Management. “This 24-hour period of giving is intended to inspire the community to step up and support nonprofits in an unprecedented and historic way.”

The Columbus Foundation is the country’s ninth largest community foundation and manages more than $1 billion in assets. Results of The Big Give will be announced on Friday afternoon. This just in (November 11): $8,704,303.13 was raised.

Hocking Hills.

I used to laugh at Leaf Lookers. You know, those nature gulpers who live for ogling fall foliage with cameras dangling from their necks. I didn’t get why they eschewed Halloween parties and haunted houses for the likes of leaves. But then the darndest thing happened: I became the very thing at which I used to snicker. My birthday was this past weekend and I found myself with an itch that only autumn leaves could scratch. Nature called, and she wasn’t going to hold. I was overcome by metaphors. We changed our plans, rented a cabin, and scrambled to Hocking Hills for a last-minute getaway. At Hocking Hills State Park, we hiked through Cantwell Cliffs and Old Man’s Cave. We cooked spaghetti and soaked in a moonlit hot tub. We watched It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown and The Nightmare Before Christmas. Amid the crisp forest air, crunchy gold leaves, and a few chocolate cupcakes, I felt fully restored. And very much like a Leaf Looker. Click here for more photos.

 

 

Vinchen Art? Show Presented by Rivet.

There are times for pretty and vapid art, but now isn’t one of them. Our economy is mangled. Socio-political deceit has reached a frightening high. We’re being smothered by over-commercialization and over-exploitation. At this precise moment, art should mean something. Columbus street art hero Vinchen just held a show of more than 20 new works at Invisible Gallery on King Avenue. It was presented by Rivet and ended yesterday, a fortnight before Guy Fawkes Day. Through ground level wall murals and floor installations, it hurled statements against corporate mistrust, reverse patriotism, and pseudo-feminism. Vinchen’s identity remains unknown, but this exhibit brilliantly unmasked his/her psyche. Click here for more photos.

      

Circleville Pumpkin Show.

I don’t remember exactly when it happened. I guess it was somewhere around the age of 10 that I became a pumpkophile. So as you can imagine, the Circleville Pumpkin Show is an orange-kissed paradise for a gourd gal such as myself. We’re talking pumpkin pie, deep fried pumpkin pie, pumpkin butter, pumpkin pancakes, pumpkin waffles, pumpkin ice cream, pumpkin bread, pumpkin cupcakes, pumpkin seeds, pumpkin cream puffs, pumpkin chili, pumpkin cheesecake, pumpkin fudge, pumpkin taffy, pumpkin brownies, pumpkin cookies, and pumpkin burgers. Not to mention pumpkin hats, sweatshirts, and Christmas ornaments. Yes, I planned my week around making the scenic drive down Route 23 yesterday to catch the 105-year-old festival’s Pet Parade. I can think of no better way to Salute the Squash. Click here for more photos.

           

Archie Griffin at The Columbus Foundation.

Some people say football is like war. Players wear armor, attack their opponents, and execute tireless strategies in the quest to seize territory. But for former Ohio State University running back and college football’s only two-time Heisman Trophy winner Archie Griffin, football is about community. The Columbus Foundation hosted an intimate gathering with the football legend this afternoon in honor of his nine years of service on its Governing Committee. Seated at the front of Davis Hall next to Columbus Foundation president and CEO Doug Kridler, Griffin spoke humbly and candidly about his experience growing up in Columbus and the importance of mentoring our youth.

“I had a ball growing up in Columbus,” said Griffin. One of eight children, he began playing football at Blackburn Park at the age of nine. His father worked three jobs and took vacation time to watch his kids’ sporting events. Griffin still reminisces about the sacrifices his dad made to provide for his children, and how he constantly praised the value of getting a college education. “I think about that man every day,” he said. Teachers also motivated Griffin to work hard and act with integrity. “Mrs. Scott at Clearbrook Middle School spent a lot of time with me and made a huge difference in my life,” he said. “I’ll never forget how positive she was.” Another of Griffin’s junior high teachers, Mr. Gill, taught him the 3 D’s: Desire, Dedication, and Determination. It stuck with him. “I talk about the 3 D’s just about everywhere I go,” Griffin said. “If you apply them to something in your life, what you’re giving is a total commitment. You can’t ask anyone to give more than that.”

Another of Griffin’s biggest influences is no surprise. “Woody Hayes always talked about paying it forward,” he said. “He lived it.” Every Thursday night, Coach Hayes drove Griffin and his teammates to Children’s Hospital in his El Camino. No one knew that Hayes did this. Hospital staff members left a designated door unlocked so Hayes and his team could spend time with patients. “That really left a lasting impression on me about what our coach stood for,” Griffin said. “He knew we were impacting the lives of young people and wanted us to be part of the community.” Hayes also ensured that his players studied. “He used to ask us how we were doing in our classes, and you better have had a good answer, because he already knew,” Griffin laughed.

Since 2004, Griffin has served as President/CEO of OSU’s Alumni Association. He’s also senior vice president of alumni relations. An internationally recognized figure and former NFL football player, he could pretty much live wherever he wants. And that’s Columbus. “I love Central Ohio,” he said. “It has been great to me.” Griffin felt safe walking or hitchhiking to eastside area sports fields when he was a youngster, but acknowledged that times have changed and children now need as much guidance and inspiration as possible. “The youth are our future of this community,” he said. “We need to give them opportunities so they can be successful.” He thinks that organized sports programs offer constructive, meaningful outlets for kids because they teach “the will to win, how to work together as a team, and how to get back up when you’re knocked down.” As the daughter and granddaughter of professional tennis players, and as someone who played sports throughout childhood, I wholeheartedly agree. Griffin was asked several years ago how he became a superstar running back at 5’8” and 180 pounds, and he answered simply, “I had heart.” All it takes for any of us to achieve our goals is the drive to try to attain them — and the encouragement of people like Griffin to help us along the way.

   

Craftin' Outlaws.

Certain seasonal rituals should never be disrupted. Every October, I fire up the pumpkin candles, bake obscene amounts of acorn squash, and start my holiday shopping at Craftin’ Outlaws Alternative Craft Fair. This helps achieve balance in the world, or at least in my head. Yesterday was the seventh annual Craftin’ Outlaws at the Gateway Film Center. It featured more than 50 local craft vendors selling handmade items including screen printed shirts, knitted scarves, plush creatures, letterpress prints, journals, aprons, corsets, soaps, hand stitched bags, and rock ‘n’ roll jewelry. A portion of the event’s proceeds benefits Rwanda Knits, which provides knitting machines and business training to low-income Rwandan women.

“It’s exciting that after seven years, we still have so much buzz,” said Craftin’ Outlaws organizer Megan Green. “We’re really grateful for the continued outpouring of love and support from the Columbus community.”

Click here for more photos.

 

Asia Society Museum.

I believe that art is about timing. Depending on where you are in your mindspace, it can have different effects. In beautifully rare instances, you meet the right work of art at the right moment and something cataclysmic occurs. But having two of those experiences in one day, at the same place? I thought that was impossible. Until we went to the Asia Society Museum in New York on Sunday.

Emaciated Siddhartha is a third-century sculpture in the The Buddhist Heritage of Pakistan: Art of Gandhara exhibit. It’s a unique depiction of the Buddha Shakyamuni, whose drastically gaunt body slumps with jutting bones and a downcast spirit from years of intense asceticism. According to history, he realized at this low point that harsh personal measures wouldn’t save him from terminal suffering. So he embarked on the moderate approach known as the Middle Path and achieved enlightenment. As someone who has severely struggled with body image, I interpreted this as simple, powerful permission to seek harmony. Staring into the Buddha’s hollow eyes, and knowing that he found physical and emotional peace through balance, was the most nourishing reminder I could have asked to receive. Emaciated Siddhartha is one of more than 70 works of Buddhist sculpture, architectural reliefs, and gold/bronze pieces that will be on display through October 30.

Drawing inspiration from a 10^th-century Indian sculpture is the giant work of metal poetry called Custos Cavum (“Guardian of the Hole”) by Korean artist U-Ram Choe. It’s part of Asia Society’s U-Ram Choe: In Focus exhibit. The “In Focus” series features contemporary artists who create new works inspired by pieces in the museum’s permanent collection. Choe’s sculptures, which have been referred to as “biomorphic mechanical sculptures,” are made of stainless steel, resin, motors, gears, custom CPU boards, and LED’s. He animates them with robotics that he develops and programs. Custos Cavum is a guardian that takes the shape of a seal. His purpose is to make sure that small holes in the earth remain open to connect two separate worlds. When the holes begin closing, he gnaws them open. When the guardian feels the opening of a new hole, he falls into a deep sleep. Are you with me? Because this is really cool. Winged spores called Unicuses grow from his sleeping body and fly to a new hole, unleashing a new generation of guardians. Eventually all of the guardians die and the two worlds cease to communicate. But then Unicuses start growing from a bone of the last remaining Custos Cavum, leaving hope that the holes connecting both worlds will one day open again.

Custos Cavum measures 86_^5/8" x 141_^3/4" x 102_^3/8" and rests in his own room at the museum. He moves slowly and hypnotically, like a Hayao Miyazaki film. I’m telling you, this massive robotic seal is as alive as you and me. He breathes in and out as his spores flutter and sway. I fell into in a trance that was gentle and playful and sad. My first reaction was to laugh, and then to cry. I felt like I was 5 years old, and I felt like I was 85. I realized a world of things, and I realized nothing. In an interview with the show’s curator, Choe said “I have a habit of watching viewers react to my work. The moment my piece starts moving, some viewers seem to marvel as if they were seeing a religious icon in a temple or cathedral. Others react almost as if facing the grandeur of nature, like seeing the Grand Canyon for the first time. Observing their reactions, I have wondered what art, religious icons, and natural wonders may have in common. I believe the common element may be the sense of wonder we feel when we encounter something that goes beyond the realm of logic and seems to transcend the death and suffering that we are bound to as human beings.”

That sense of wonder is something I’ll never forget. U-Ram Choe: In Focus is on display through January 2. 

Image courtesy of Asia Society Museum.

 

 

  

Pecha Kucha November 10 at 400 West Rich.

There’s no other building in Columbus like 400 West Rich in Franklinton. Some refer to the giant warehouse as a multi-use industrial complex, but I think of it as a soulful urban castle with dense bursts of natural light and refreshing views of the skyline. We’re holding our next Pecha Kucha Columbus event there on Thursday, November 10. Festivities kick off at 7:00 p.m. with local band The Ginger Lees and presentations begin at 7:30. Each speaker will follow the international Pecha Kucha format of showing 20 images and speaking about each image for 20 seconds. Presenters include Eva Ball with Glass Axis; artist Juan Carrera; Kevin Eigel of Ecohouse Ohio; museum historian Wendy Fergusson; poet Jennifer Hambrick from WOSU; Ruby Harper from the Greater Columbus Arts Council; artists/musicians/educators Michelle Ishida and Tera Stockdale; Montessori Education activist Diane Meves; librarians Becky O’Neil and Rachel Rubin; and photographer Uma Sanghvi. Comedy group Columbus is Funny will perform during intermission. Abstract art collective Abx Columbus will install a one-night-only art show featuring large-scale compositions. Local food trucks will sell refreshments, as organized by The SBB. THOUGHTco will screen print T-shirts for guests throughout the evening ($5 for shirts brought from home and $10 to buy a new one). The suggested donation is $2 per person, benefiting Pecha Kucha Columbus. Free parking is available in the lot east of the building and along Lucas Street. Click here for a map. Attendees are encouraged to carpool and to bring folding chairs.

Pecha Kucha was founded in Tokyo in 2003 as a way for designers to meet and share their work in public. It has since mushroomed into a global phenomenon with events in more than 445 cities. Drawing its name from the Japanese phrase for “the sound of chitchat,” it rests on a simple and momentum-driven presentation format. Pecha Kucha Columbus was formed in 2007. This will be our 19^th event.

      

October Short North Gallery Hop.

During last night’s Gallery Hop in the Short North, it hit me for the thousandth time: Columbus is one positive, passionate force. We visited four exhibits along High Street, starting with Oxygen Art Auction by The Digital Immigrants at Voodoo Denim Lounge. It features five unique interpretations of World War II high-altitude oxygen tanks. Half of all proceeds from the auction, which ends in late November, will benefit the Wounded Warrior Project. Next was Spectacle by Coreroc at Image Optical, a series of portraits whose subjects wear glasses. Then we stopped by Rivet Gallery to see a group show of screen prints by Clinton Reno, Graham Erwin, and Ryan Brinkerhoff. Our last stop was the third annual Yummy Art Show, which showcases food-inspired pieces created by 40 artists. A fundraiser for the Mid-Ohio Foodbank and promoter of Local Foods Week, it was held at Brothers Drake Meadery. In the past day alone, I’ve heard friends say “We’re so lucky to live here” and “How awesome is our city?” I couldn’t agree more. Click here for more photos.

 

Independents’ Day 2011.

Sometimes I wonder if residents of other states have as much pride as Ohioans. You know those Ohio Shaped Everythings we have at our community events? The T-shirts, stickers, posters, coasters, soaps, necklaces, and tattoos? They’ve convinced me that my own beating heart is Ohio-shaped. Independents’ Day was held yesterday in Downtown Columbus at Gay Street and Pearl Alley, and it was the most recent example in which I felt stampeded by homegrown affection. There were four stages with more than 40 bands, dozens of food trucks, dancers, street performers, crafters, artists, a kids area, and a bicycle corral. Everything was organized by and for locals, and all participating businesses were independently owned. Not only does Ohio make a cool visual icon, its inhabitants are shaping one fierce cultural phenomenon. Click here for more photos.

         

CAW Presents "Strands" at Carnegie Gallery.

Hair. We brush, cut, pull, twist, shave, dye, and tease it to a near pulp. Many of us define ourselves by it, while others mourn its loss. But rarely do we dedicate an art show to its very existence. Until now. The ever-clever ladies of CAW (creative arts of women) opened their latest show Strands at the Columbus Metropolitan Library’s Carnegie Gallery last night. Curated by Stephanie Rond, it explores the mystique-laden intricacies behind hair, filaments, and fibers. Proceeds from the show will benefit the Hair Theater Fund, which helps chemotherapy patients purchase wigs and hats. Featured artists include Laine Bachman, Allison Buenger, Betsy DeFusco, Patty DeMaria, Linda Diec, Sharon Dorsey, Judy Chesnut Gerdeman, Helma Groot, Mollie Hannon, Bethany Jozwiak-Butler, Colleen Leonardi, Lisa McLymont, Angela Matteson, Peggy Mintun, Kristin Morris, Amy Neiwirth, Mabi Ponce de Leon, Jessica Prunty, Stephanie Rond, Cat Sheridan, Sherry Simone, Linda Skelley, Carolyn Slebodnik, Catherine Bell Smith, Roxanne Smith-Mansell, Brittany Bird, Amandda Tirey Graham, Barb Vogel, Heather Wirth, and Wendy Yeager. A dance piece called one single thing x twoⁿ debuted at the opening reception. It was choreographed by CoCo Loupe, performed by Noelle Chun and Nicole Garlando, and featured original music by Noah Demland. Strands runs through October 21. Click here for more photos.

 

Revibe: Black Sail Reunion at gallery831.

There’s no denying that street art has thrust a permanent impression on the modern world. During a time of such economic uncertainty, it offers a tempting elixir of fervor, ingenuity, and rebellion. In Columbus, street art has manifested itself in many ways. One of them is Black Sail, an artist collective formed by a group of CCAD students in 2009 whose imagery is as complex as it is vivid. Its members recently reunited to present Revibe, a one-week-only art show at gallery831 in the Brewery District. Revibe artists include Travis Czekalski, John Hastings, Adam Henderson, John Malta, Mike Marine, Grace Passerotti, James Quarles, Bijan Sharifi, Jon Stommel, and Aaron Troyer.

“The purpose of the group was to combine our talents and imaginations to paint murals, stage art shows, and collaborate on projects that would hopefully yield a result that would be stronger than what any of us could do on our own,” said Stommel, a founding Black Sail artist. “A few of us are about to move out west, and we thought this would be the perfect opportunity to reunite for a show one more time.”

The one-week-only exhibit ends tonight, but gallery831 curator Juan Carrera plans to invite Black Sail back for an annual show. For Carrera, it’s imperative to support our local street art movement and the “uniquely relevant group of passionate and inspiring artists” who comprise it. Click here for more photos.

     

Short North Art al Fresco.

The third annual Short North Art al Fresco took place on Saturday. A shot of gutsy spirit into the rhythm of High Street, its 13 installations included Field Ninjas by Adam Brouillette; Paper Pulp Installation by Daniel Colvin; The Life Cycle Tree by Jennifer Deafenbaugh; Birds of Prey by Linda Diec; Fresh Flower Mandala by Tracy Elzy, Lisa McLymont, and Cat Sheridan; You Take Yourself Too Seriously by Joe David Mitchell; Noise II by Lexie Stoia Pierce; Alleys Can Be Scary by Stephanie Rond; Sweeping on High Street by Chanika Svetvilas; Mural by Nikos Fyodor, Andrew Lundberg, and Chris Sherman of Urban Scrawl; Bus Stop Modification by Kim Webb; QR Code Exhibit by Wonderland Columbus; and Recycled Container Mixed Media by Joan Zeller. I was honored to be a juror of this outdoor cornucopia. We awarded Urban Scrawl’s Mural with Best in Show and gave Honorable Mentions to Adam Brouillette, Joe David Mitchell, and Stephanie Rond. Click here for more photos.

   

Hot Times Festival.

The 35^th annual Hot Times Community Arts & Music Festival graced the corner of Parsons Avenue and Main Street in Olde Towne East this past weekend. Like ComFest, Hot Times is a magnificent celebration of community spirit and culture that’s organized completely by volunteers. This year’s festival offered three stages with 60 bands and performing art groups, children’s activities, poetry slams, drum circles, art cars, food vendors, a marketplace, visual artists, and eco-friendly demonstrations. My favorite part of this pre-autumn fete is its diversity. Genres of music ranged from reggae and jazz to folk and rock. Food items varied from smoked ribs and Jamaican jerk chicken to vegetarian burritos and vegan pizza. Attendees represented an array of ethnicities and walks of life. And yet one thing was beautifully clear: a sense of harmony through passion and unity. Click here for more photos.

              

Somalia Benefit at Solay Bistro.

“Tonight you could have been anywhere you liked, but you chose to be here,” said Abdi Roble to a roomful of people at Solay Bistro last night. An endlessly charismatic Columbus resident and photographer who runs the Somali Documentary Project, he addressed a group of us that gathered at the northside restaurant for a fundraiser benefiting individuals in Somalia suffering from the East Africa drought. Roble and Solay Bistro owner Nadira Abdirahman graciously welcomed every attendee of the event, which was promoted by Columbus Food Adventures. I made new friends, learned about local Somali culture¹, and sampled such utterly delectable dishes as Sabaya (bread), Cadriyad (sweet noodles), Soor (cornmeal), and Fata Muus (banana bread). It was an evening that, above all else, reminded me about the strength and compassion of community. A second benefit will be held next Wednesday. Proceeds from each dinner will be donated to the American Refugee Committee. Click here to learn more.

1 Columbus has the second largest Somali population in the country.

        

Columbus Greek Festival.

The 39^th annual Greek Festival takes place this weekend at the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral in the Short North. An ebullient four-day affair, it offers patrons a taste of Hellenic life through music, singers, dancers, artwork, clothing, jewelry, cooking demonstrations, cultural workshops, cathedral tours, and food. Mountains of Greek food served by proud, smiling folks who are enthusiastic about making and serving it. Elderly parishioners, in fact, stand at the entrance of the indoor food plaza to greet and shake hands with every person in line. It doesn’t get much cuter than that. So whether you like Moussaka, Dolmades, Keftedes, Souvlaki, or Spanakopita; have a hankering for Baklava, Amigdalota, Kataifi, Melomacarona, or Koulourakia; or just want to swig Ouzo, Metaxa, or Mythos; this celebration is for you. Opa. Click here for more photos.

                          

Harrison Park Grand Opening.

It’s not every day that we welcome a new city park in Columbus, let alone one facing the Olentangy River. Yesterday afternoon members of the Harrison West Society, Columbus Recreation and Parks, and Wagenbrenner Development, along with Mayor Michael Coleman, officially dedicated Harrison Park. At the corner of West First Avenue and Harrison Park Place, this stunning green space took a mighty dose of public-private partnerships and nearly nine years to bring to life. The park connects to the Olentangy Trail and rests on the site of a former factory that was torn down in 2004. With a Tuscan-style gazebo, bold sculptures designed by Columbus College of Art & Design students, and a playground named Funk-ee-town in honor of deceased Harrison West advocate Mary Funk, this place was well worth the wait. Click here for more photos.

              

Short North Stage.

Last night we attended a preview party for the soon-to-be-open Short North Stage. Located at the historic Garden Theater in the Short North, this new acting company is fixing to present high-caliber, high-passion musicals. The Garden Theater, which is the second oldest theater in Columbus, opened on Thanksgiving Day in 1920 as a vaudeville and movie emporium. Its rear wall dates back to 1880, when a carriage house stood on the site. In the 1960’s, it turned into a burlesque strip-tease establishment, in the 1980’s it housed pole dancers and pornographic movies, and in the 1990’s it became a church. Although she has lovely bones, the theater needs serious repair. Hardlines Design Company is tackling its restoration through partial funding by the Greater Columbus Arts Council. The redesign will include a 299-seat auditorium, new stage, restrooms, concession area, box seats, dressing rooms, rehearsal spaces, and technical booths. The iconic exterior Art Deco sign and marquee, which was installed in 1932 and destroyed by a 1989 storm, will be restored. Until officers of the nonprofit theater organization can raise enough money to fully renovate the building, they’ll create a temporary 99-seat space with a temporary wall and platform stage. Short North Stage plans to present Follies in October.